Post navigation

Earl Clark to visit again with Cleveland Cavaliers

Lakers reserve forward Earl Clark will meet Wednesday with the Cleveland Cavaliers in what will mark his second consecutive day in talks with the team, according to a league source.

It’s currently unclear if both sides have progressed enough to talk about an offer. But the talks progressed enough to have a second meeting.

The Lakers expressed their interest in talks Sunday and Monday about re-signing Clark, who became a pleasant surprise after being considered no more than a throw-in in the original deal that brought Dwight Howard to the Orlando Magic. But Clark’s return to the Lakers hinges on what offers he receives from other teams. The Lakers only can spend money from their mini mid-level exception ($3.2 million) and veteran’s minimum ($1.4 million). They also don’t want to sign players beyond next season in hopes to maintain cap flexibility for the 2014 offseason. Clark made $1.2 million last season.

Clark averaged a career-high 7.3 points on 44 percent shooting through 23.1 minutes in 59 regular-season games, including 36 as a starter. His increased role coincided with injuries to Jordan Hill (left hip) and Pau Gasol (concussion) as well as Mike D’Antoni’s preference for smaller lineups. Clark production dipped though in later months, including the playoffs. Clark averaged only 3.5 points on 36.8 percent shooting and 3 rebounds through 20.5 minutes in the Lakers’ first-round sweep to the San Antonio Spurs.

Comments policy

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@langnews.com.